SB.5947 Establishing the Washington health care board.

Sponsors: Hasegawa, Bateman, Chapman, Orwall, Riccelli, Saldaña

This bill would establish a board to create a single payer, universal healthcare system after receiving federal waivers (ERISA/Medicare) or the State-Based Universal Health Care Act legislation passes nationally.

SB 5947 explainer video

SB.5233 / HB.1445 Developing the Washington health trust

(introduced in 2025)

Senate Cosponsors: Hasegawa, Bateman, Chapman, Dhingra, Liias, Lovelett, Nobles, Saldaña, Shewmake, Stanford, Trudeau

House Cosponsors: Parshley, Scott, Berry, Doglio, Farivar, Alvarado, Reed, Ramel, Wylie, Goodman, Cortes, Macri, Fosse, Ormsby, Pollet, Hill, Simmons

This bill creates a universal public healthcare program that all Washington residents would be eligible to enroll in to receive comprehensive coverage free at the point of service. It includes a dedicated funding mechanism and has a four-year transition plan. Studies estimate it will save Washington billions of dollars.

• How it's funded
• Who and what's covered
• Studies
• Summary One-Pager

The Washington Health Trust (WHT) needs a hearing in the Senate and House Health Care committees as soon as possible.

If a hearing this session is not feasible, the alternative is a joint working session, comprised of Health Care committee members in both chambers by August 2026. The goals are to:

• Review the design of the WHT to ensure an accurate understanding of what it is and how it works.
• Solicit feedback from committee members in time for incorporation into a revised WHT bill for the 2027 legislative session.

SJR.8206 Amending the Constitution to establish a right to affordable health care.

Sponsors: Hasegawa, Chapman, Liias, Lovelett, Nobles, Saldaña, Slatter, Stanford, Valdez, Wilson, C.

This resolution would provide constitutional protection for cost-effective, clinically appropriate, and affordable healthcare for all Washington State Residents.

SJR 8206 explainer video

SB.5955  Concerning the Medicaid deprivatization act.

Sponsors: Hasegawa

This bill removes private insurance from Apple Health/Medicaid within one year of passage.

• Moves to a fee-for service model
• Returns Medicaid data to public control
• Reduces administrative overhead
• Ensures patient-centered decisions over profit-driven decisions

Estimated savings for Washington: between $757 million and $1.3 billion*

• Short video explainer
• Deeper podcast discussion
• *Physicians for a National Health Plan Report

SB.5948  Establishing deadlines for the universal health care commission.

Sponsors: Hasegawa, Bateman, Slatter

This bill establishes deadlines and deliverables for the Universal Health Care Commission (UHCC). This entity has been operating since 2021. It's time for results. 

New Deadlines:

• • 2027 - Clear recommendations on key design components
  • 2028 - Creation of three committees: Citizen, Provider, Finance (as described in the Washington Health Trust)
  • 2029 -  UHCC will present universal healthcare legislation to the legislature

Short explainer video

SB.5946 Expanding the income eligibility for the medical assistance program.

Sponsors: Hasegawa, Bateman, Chapman, Lovelett, Nobles, Orwall, Wilson, C.

This bill would expand Medicaid from 138% of the Federal Poverty Level to 300%, allowing many more people to be covered.

Short explainer video